Hardliner Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has spoken out against the Sharia court order to expel four Christian missionaries from the Valley on the charges of proselytism and forced conversions.

'We are not with the Sharia court decision banishing a few persons from the state for their alleged role in conversions. Banishing someone is no solution. As Muslims, it is our responsibility to ensure that we reach out to our youth and create awareness about Islam,' Geelani said.

Ever since the conversion issue reared its head in the Valley, various Islamic organisations have been demanding strict action against the missionaries involved in the alleged act and the separatists watched from a distance. On January 19, the Sharia court here had ordered the expulsion of four missionaries - Fr. Jim Borst of the Dutch Catholic Mill Hill missionary, Rev. C.M. Khanna, Gayour Massi and Chandre Kanta.

Opposed: Syed Ali Shah Geelani said he does not agree with the Sharia court's decision to expel the Christian missionaries

Banning them for life from entering Jammu & Kashmir, the court also asked the state government to monitor the syllabus in missionary schools.

Expelled: Jim Borst was one of the pastors banished by the Sharia court

Though Christians are in small numbers in the state, the missionary schools - including the Burn Hall School, Presentation Convent School, Tyndale Biscoe School, Mallison Girls School and Saint Joseph School - have earned high repute. Some of the noteworthy students emerging from these schools are Omar Abdullah, Mirwaiz Umar and, ironically, some of the pioneers of the armed militancy - including Ashfaq Majid Wani, who was the JKLF commander in 1989.

But the criticism of these schools has not gone down well with Geelani. 'They (Christians) are part and parcel of our society and it is our duty to protect them. No Kashmiri can ignore the contribution of their schools in the Valley's education system,' he pointed out. Criticising the government-owned and controlled Wakf Board, he said: 'How many institutions have they (Waqf Board) established?'

Taking on the Sharia court and Islamic seminaries, Geelani said: 'Those raising a hue and cry about conversions have never dared raise voice against the atrocities committed on our people.' The remark was apparently aimed at Sharia court chief Mufti Bashir-u-Din, who is considered close to the government.

Christianity at crossroads

However, Mufti Bashir-u-Din said the court's decision was final. 'We stand by our decision. We have not made any ruling against Christianity or Christians. We have only passed a judgment against four non-state subjects, who were involved in the amoral activity of forced conversion. Geelani may not be aware of all the facts,' he added.